Getting Around Peru
Fly between Lima and Cusco (about 1.5 hours, $60-150 one-way) rather than attempting the 20+ hour overland route — this is the backbone of nearly every Peru itinerary. Peru's famous trains (PeruRail, IncaRail) exist specifically to reach Machu Picchu, not as general intercity transport. Inside cities, taxis and ride-hailing apps like Uber and Cabify in Lima cover everything else.
Getting to Peru
Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport is Peru's main gateway, with direct flights from major US hubs and connections from Europe (often via Lima or Bogota). From the US, expect 6-10 hours depending on origin, with round-trip fares typically $450-900; from Europe, expect 11-14 hours, usually with a connection via Lima.
Getting around: the real options
Peru's geography — coastal desert, Andean mountains, Amazon rainforest — makes flying the obvious choice for the country's one essential long-haul route (Lima to Cusco), while trains, buses, and taxis each play a specific, narrower role once you're on the ground.
- Trains — famous, but purpose-built for one route: getting to Machu Picchu. PeruRail and IncaRail run scenic trains from Ollantaytambo or Cusco's Poroy station to Aguas Calientes; this isn't a general intercity rail network, so don't expect trains to connect other Peruvian cities.
- Buses — solid for regional hops (Cusco to Puno for Lake Titicaca, about 6-7 hours) with comfortable long-distance operators like Cruz del Sur and Civa, but Lima-Cusco itself is a grueling 20+ hour mountain route better done by air.
- Domestic flights — the essential connector for most Peru itineraries; LATAM, Sky Airline, and JetSmart all fly Lima-Cusco multiple times daily (about 1.5 hours), typically $60-150 one-way, plus routes to Puerto Maldonado (Amazon) and Arequipa.
- Car rental / driving — not recommended for most visitors; mountain roads, altitude, and unfamiliar signage make self-driving more trouble than it's worth. Hire a driver or take a colectivo (shared van) for Sacred Valley day trips instead.
Getting around inside cities
Lima has a limited but growing Metropolitano bus rapid-transit line, though most visitors rely on Uber or Cabify (both widely used and reliable in Lima) rather than public transit. Cusco is compact enough to walk within the historic center, with taxis common for longer hops — always agree on the fare before getting in, since Cusco's taxis aren't metered. Colectivos (shared minivans) are the cheap, frequent way to connect Cusco, Pisac, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley.
| Route/option | Typical cost | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Lima airport to Miraflores/Barranco | $15-25 (Uber/Cabify) | 30-50 min depending on traffic |
| Lima to Cusco (flight) | $60-150 | ~1.5 hours |
| Cusco colectivo to Pisac or Ollantaytambo | $1.50-3 | 45 min-1 hour |
Book your Machu Picchu train (PeruRail or IncaRail) at the same time as your entry ticket, especially for June-August travel — trains genuinely sell out on popular dates, and there's no walk-up alternative since there's no road all the way to Aguas Calientes.
Common transport mistakes
- Assuming Peru's famous trains connect cities generally — they don't; PeruRail and IncaRail exist specifically for the Machu Picchu route, not as a substitute for flights or buses elsewhere.
- Getting into an unmetered Cusco taxi without agreeing on a fare first — always confirm the price before the ride starts, since meters aren't standard practice there.
- Trying to save money by busing Lima to Cusco instead of flying — it's a genuinely grueling 20+ hour mountain route; the flight is worth the extra cost for nearly everyone.
Build in buffer time for flight delays
Cusco's high-altitude airport is genuinely prone to weather-related morning fog delays and occasional cancellations, especially in the rainy season (November-April) — avoid booking a same-day international connection out of Lima right after flying in from Cusco, and build at least one buffer day into your schedule if your Machu Picchu train or flight home depends on tight timing.